{"id":2625381,"date":"2026-07-06T07:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T11:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-harris-makes-a-play-for-the-socialists-are-they-interested\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T07:17:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T11:17:18","slug":"kamala-harris-makes-a-play-for-the-socialists-are-they-interested","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kamala-harris-makes-a-play-for-the-socialists-are-they-interested\/","title":{"rendered":"Kamala Harris makes a play for the socialists. Are they interested?"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fkamala-harris-makes-a-play-for-the-socialists-are-they-interested%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2625381&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Former Vice President Kamala Harris is attempting to improve relations with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party,specifically with figures like socialist politician Zohran Mamdani. despite her outreach, there is uncertainty whether this effort is mutual, as the rising influence of socialist candidates and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has shifted party dynamics. Harris has secretly engaged with Mamdani, acknowledging the growing power of socialists in elections, though whether this will translate into actual support remains unclear. Experts note that her efforts may be motivated by political opportunism rather than ideological alignment, and some critics question whether Harris can genuinely align with or merely accommodate the socialist movement, which has its own distinct identity and policy disagreements. While Harris seeks to remain relevant in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gov-desantis-envisions-midterms-as-end-of-floridas-days-as-a-swing-state\/\" title=\"Gov. DeSantis Envisions Midterms as End of Florida\u2019s Days as a Swing State\">changing political landscape<\/a>, others warn that her strategy involves risks, especially if her outreach appears insincere or simply symbolic. The broader challenge for Harris and Democrats is to appeal beyond thier base, especially moderates and independents, by focusing on practical, mainstream solutions rather than only energizing progressive activists. Ultimately,her success in 2028 depends on convincing both the Democratic grassroots and the emerging socialist movement that she is a genuine champion of their priorities,rather than just an establishment politician trying to adapt to shifting party currents.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"748\">Former Vice President Kamala Harris<\/a> may be trying to repair relations with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"288\">Democratic Party\u2019s<\/a> progressive wing, but there is no guarantee the feeling is mutual.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rise of New York <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/zohran-mamdani\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11802\">Mayor Zohran Mamdani<\/a>, coupled with a string of victories by Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidates, has shifted the party\u2019s balance of power. What was once a faction fighting for influence has emerged as a bloc that presidential hopefuls increasingly feel compelled to court, and one that may not be eager to embrace Harris.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4630657\/trump-america-250-midterm-countdown\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Midterm countdown: Will Trump and Republicans get a polling bump from America 250?<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4634849\/kamala-harris-socialists-byron-york\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>\u2018Not a surprise\u2019 Harris reached out to socialists: Byron York<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4634085\/dave-portnoy-socialism-rise-is-scariest-thing\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Dave Portnoy says rise in socialism is the \u2018scariest\u2019 thing<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Harris, who is widely viewed as a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2028-elections\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11676\">2028 Democratic presidential contender<\/a>, has quietly sought to build a relationship with Mamdani since his emergence as the de facto face of the socialist left. Mamdani confirmed last week that Harris contacted him months ago and that the two have remained in touch.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYes, that is true,\u201d Mamdani <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4632997\/mamdani-kamala-harris-phone-call-2028-bid\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4632997\/mamdani-kamala-harris-phone-call-2028-bid\/\">said<\/a> during an appearance on SiriusXM\u2019s <em>The Clay Cane Show<\/em>. \u201cThe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nonpartisan-voter-reg-groups-target-likely-dem-voters-in-va\/\" title=\"&#039;Nonpartisan&#039; Voter Reg Groups Target Likely-Dem Voters In VA\">vice president reached<\/a> out to have a conversation, and we\u2019ve had a brief conversation. We\u2019ve been in touch over the last few months, and I really do appreciate her outreach.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The \u201coutreach\u201d underscores Harris\u2019s recognition that socialists are wielding growing influence in elections, following her bruising 2024 loss to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">President Donald Trump<\/a>. Whether that influence will translate into any future support for Harris is far less certain.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe answer isn\u2019t ideological affinity. It\u2019s opportunity,\u201d California Republican strategist Matt Klink told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, arguing that socialists are more interested in shaping an establishment politician than nominating one of their own.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHarris has repeatedly demonstrated that her policy positions travel wherever the votes are,\u201d Klink said. \u201cDSA doesn\u2019t need her to be a true believer. They need her to be useful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Klink added that Harris\u2019s outreach reflects the reality that the party\u2019s left flank has become increasingly difficult to ignore.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cShe is telling Democratic funders and influencers exactly where she thinks the party is going,\u201d he said, arguing that courting pro-Palestinian activists this early signals the DSA now \u201csets the price of admission\u201d in a Democratic presidential primary.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But even some voices on the left question whether Harris can simply step into a movement that has spent years building its own political identity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI suspect the interest is in one direction,\u201d veteran political expert Garry South told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cHarris obviously is trying to remain relevant by grasping at straws. It\u2019s a little late in her career to be looking for a political sex change, and cozying up to the Democratic Socialists.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even as Harris navigates the party\u2019s shifting ideological landscape, others are more skeptical about whether any alignment with the socialist left is genuine or durable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think there\u2019s another issue at hand,\u201d political pundit Jamie E. Wright said, framing the central question as whether Harris can build goodwill with the Democratic Socialists of America \u2014 or whether the DSA sees her as someone it can actually work with.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wright said the group has long defined itself by its differences from mainstream Democrats, even when there is overlap on issues such as labor and voting rights.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe DSA has defined its politics around these kinds of questions,\u201d she said, pointing to disagreements over criminal justice, foreign policy, policing, and the scope of structural reform.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While politicians often reach across ideological lines, Wright added, \u201csimply reaching out doesn\u2019t necessarily mean that the group being reached out to will reciprocate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> the real question is whether any relationship reflects shared ideology or political convenience \u2014 \u201cand whether that shows up in actual actions rather than symbolic ones.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Progressive radio host and author Thom Hartmann said Mamdani\u2019s success reflects voters\u2019 embrace of economic populism over the cautious centrism favored by many Democratic strategists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHarris can read a room,\u201d Hartmann told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. \u201cShe can see the votes and the energy have swung back\u201d toward the affordability message that powered Mamdani and other progressive candidates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, he said Harris must overcome skepticism from activists who have long viewed her as an establishment Democrat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOnly if people believe her, and belief is exactly what she hasn\u2019t earned,\u201d Hartmann said. \u201cVoters can smell a poll-tested pivot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hartmann argued Harris could still become a credible progressive candidate if she fully embraces \u201cNew Deal economics\u201d and distances herself from what he called the party\u2019s Wall Street wing. Otherwise, he said, activists are likely to back candidates who have consistently championed those priorities, pointing to Mamdani and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as examples.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if Harris were to succeed in consolidating the Democratic base, some Democrats argue the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >strategy carries significant political risks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ashleigh Ewald, a former Gen Z content creator for Harris\u2019s 2024 campaign, said Democrats ultimately win by persuading moderates and independents rather than focusing exclusively on energizing progressive activists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMost elections are decided by moderates, independents, and swing voters, not by people who are already firmly committed to one side,\u201d Ewald said. \u201cIf Democrats want to regain ground in competitive states and districts, they have to demonstrate they\u2019re focused on practical solutions that resonate with the political middle.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4625810\/dsa-eyes-national-expansion-new-york-wins-democrats-brace-new-primary-fights\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4625810\">DSA EYES NATIONAL EXPANSION AFTER NEW YORK WINS AS DEMOCRATS BRACE FOR NEW PRIMARY FIGHTS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the end of the day, she added, \u201cparties don\u2019t win by speaking only to their base. They win by persuading voters who haven\u2019t already made up their minds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Harris, the challenge heading toward 2028 may not be convincing socialists that she agrees with them on every issue. It may be convincing a movement that has gained new political clout that she is more than just another establishment Democrat trying to catch up with where the party\u2019s grassroots have already gone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Harris seeks DSA ties amid party power shifts and new progressives<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2625382,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26105798399703.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32438,32504,5894,12428,32515],"class_list":["post-2625381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-kamala-harris","tag-political-strategy","tag-politics","tag-socialism","tag-us-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26105798399703.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2625381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2625381"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2625381\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2625385,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2625381\/revisions\/2625385"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2625382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2625381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2625381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2625381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}